by David Chapman
Staff Writer
While fans stream through the ticket gates on Thursday for the Jacksonville Suns opening night, Wayne McClanan will be one of the busiest people at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
As clubhouse manager of the home club, McClanan is responsible for everything the players do besides play the game — uniforms, equipment, catering and even batting practice and shagging baseballs.
“Clubhouse guys are important parts of any team,” he said. “They’re responsible for a lot more than most people even think about.”
McClanan has been one of the “clubhouse guys” for a number of organizations over the course of his career.
He was in the clubhouse of the Los Angeles Dodgers (his favorite team) for five years, the Vero Beach Devil Rays (Florida State League) for four years, the Arena Football League’s Orlando Predators for two years and even spent a year with the Jacksonville Barracudas minor league hockey team.
He’d never been a part of the Suns organization before, but when he started earlier this year, it was like he was already at home.
“I’ve been with the Dodgers organizations for a while,” he said. “All the players and people are like family. I’ve seen them grow up.”
McClanan lives in Virginia Beach, Va., and sometimes flies back home during extended road trips. He doesn’t keep a permanent residence in Jacksonville, but it’s no big deal — he stays at the stadium and has plenty of friends in the area if needed.
“The entire business is almost like a fraternity,” he said. “We all look after each other whenever we can.”
McClanan puts in long days and nights as clubhouse manager, sometimes from 7 a.m.– 2 a.m., but it’s a job he said he loves.
Photo by David Chapman